Three Florida Congressmen Among Sponsors Of New Bill That Would Put A Fee On Carbon Emissions

A new bill to put a price on carbon dioxide emissions is being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, and three of the five sponsors are from Florida.

The bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act would impose a fee on oil refineries, coal producers and other companies that are major carbon dioxide sources. That would likely cause companies to raise prices. But the bill would take the money from the carbon fee and give it to American taxpayers and their families so they could offset higher energy costs.

“If we don’t act now, we are nearing a point of no return when it comes to our environment, when it comes to our health, and when it comes to our economy,” Deutch told reporters in a call. “That’s why this legislation is so important. It is the product of rigorous negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, liberal groups and conservative groups, environmentalists and business interests.”

Initially the fee would be $15 per metric ton of CO2, increasing by $10 every year — and more if the country fails to meet annual emissions reductions targets.

Rep. Francis Rooney (R-FL-19) and Democratic Rep. and former Governor Charlie Crist (D-Fl-13) joined Deutch, Rep. John K. Delaney of Maryland and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania in sponsoring the bill.

The congressmen say if successfully enacted, the bill would cut emissions by 40 percent in the next decade, and by more than 90 percent in the next 30 years.

“The Invading Sea” is a collaboration of four South Florida media organizations — the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post and WLRN Public Media.

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The Invading Sea is a collaboration by the editorial boards of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post —
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